-Here is my best attempt at categorizing the nature of attainment and progression. Please note that when I say this model is based on ultimate reality, this is based on personal experience, which I have attempted to discuss more
here. As is taught in Buddhism, there are two realities so to speak; relative, which is composed of concepts, and ultimate, that which is beyond concepts, that to which concepts point. I label this as the 'one great truth' as it is ultimate truth, it is the nature of reality unsullied by conceptual apprehension. The nature of reality is beyond our idea of dualistic separation, which is based in relative truth. Dualistic separation does not exist in the spere of ultimate truth, ultimately all things are intrinsically part of a great whole and thus inseparable.
Universal Attainment Model Based in the idea of an Ultimate Nature of Reality. The recognition of this One Great Truth is the One Final State (aka: full enlightenment).
2 General Developmental Paths -Soul Development
-Insight (into non-duality) Development
Soul Development -Underlying basis: ‘soul’ -> that which remains upon full enlightenment (personality).
- Development in the form of ‘Life Lessons’.
-Various forms of energetic development may assist with this.
Insight Development -Major developmental ‘school’ within greater soul development context.
-> Life on Earth: we inherently perceive dualistically.
-Immediate challenge to be faced.
-Hierarchical levels: progressive attainments* of recognition of non-duality.
Major points/Technicalities-Soul development occurs regardless of Insight
-> However, as attainment increases it is sped up, like ‘gearing up’ (picture below).
-Soul development consists of overcoming ‘issues’: stuck energy holding patterns: (implicit) beliefs
-Insight development consists of progressively overcoming innate perceptual confusion; the cause of the illusion of separation and associated mental issues (explicit thought patterns (beliefs))
-The end result of ID is the perfection of awareness such that concentration** and insight are perfected and cannot be developed any further (the illusion of separation is overcome).
-Meditation related development explicitly deals with one of these issues: SD or ID
->ID is finite, however SD is infinite; ‘perfection’ is unlikely/impossible
->The core basis of emotions is in the soul; as such it is addressed by soul development and perfection is impossible
as soul development is infinite.
-In order to work with emotions (and underlying beliefs) (SD), it is very helpful to accomplish the path of ID, such that:
-One’s capacity to deal with emotions (SD) is increased.
-One’s understanding of emotions is clarified as a result of decreased
delusory thinking
*
Attainment: Such that attainment is progressive, different practices do not cause different results; there are many routes to the same goal. Progressive attainment levels are like numerous layered spheres contained within each other. Such that levels exist, they may be reached by many different practices and need not be proceeded through in a ‘straight’ trajectory.
- In this example, all being’s awareness begins in the inner core (picture below), the crust being enlightenment. On the journey to enlightenment, beings progressively pass through the attainments of outer core, lower mantle… up until finally passing through the lithosphere into ‘the crust’. Numerous routes abound, from the beginning one may travel in literally any direction and move outwards, however the progressive layers encountered are the same regardless of the direction one travels.
**
Concentration: attempting to develop solid focus on an object unimpeded by auxiliary concerns.
-The ultimate object is that which is all that exists: the ultimate
nature of reality.
-Full enlightenment is the end of dualistic separation, full union with the ultimate state.
-Therefore enlightenment is the ultimate perfection of concentration: union with the ultimate object.